Friday, October 28, 2011

Owl coming in for the kill -- right at the camera. Only a minute long. The last two or three seconds are amazing, watching the feathers ruffle and the wings swell. Loved it. Interesting to watch the corrections in the flight path as the bird comes in. This is taken at 1000 frames per second and is awesome!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fall is upon us. It is time to change the antifreeze, wage war on field mice in search of warm quarters, stock up on Halloween candy, and plan the Thanksgiving menu.

There are several autumn hazards to pets, some potentially fatal. Knowing what these hazards are and taking simple precautions will keep your pet healthy through the coming months.

Antifreeze: Most radiator antifreeze/coolant contains ethylene glycol and is highly toxic. It has a sweet taste and is readily consumed by children and animals. If you think your pet has consumed antifreeze, call your veterinarian right away.

Rodenticides: Rodenticides that kill the rodents hoping to winter in your house will also kill your pet. They cause severe bleeding, kidney failure, and death. There are no safe rodenticides. Whether out of hunger, boredom, or curiosity, pets will consume these products. In case of poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Thanksgiving dinner: Holiday meals can also cause medical emergencies for pets. Chicken and turkey bones can get stuck or can pierce holes in any portion of the digestive tract. Rich foods can cause sudden pancreatitis or bloat. Keep holiday meals, leftovers, and table scraps out of reach of your pet.

It is a busy time of year, with guests coming and going, decorations going up and down. Keep novel small items out of reach of your pet. Dogs and cats, especially puppies and kittens, will eat anything. Non-food items lodged in your pet's digestive tract is yet another emergency condition. Don't let curiosity kill your cat or your dog.

It's back-to-school time, and those of you with young children know that means stocking up on fun items like glue sticks, pencils and magic markers. These items are considered “low toxicity” to pets, which means they're unlikely to cause serious problems unless large amounts are ingested. However, since gastrointestinal upset and blockages certainly are possible, be sure your children keep their school supplies out of paw's reach.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Halloween is right around the corner and we are thinking about our costumes, decorations and candy. However don't forgot about our furry friends. this information is taken from the ASPCA's website.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Some members of the Pet Jubilee Team have been comparing stories of their cat’s love of water. It seems like most of our domestic cats are known for staying clear of water, yet there are some that are fascinated with it. Those are the ones that love to play with a dripping faucet, paw at their water bowl, and hang out near the tub when their owner is showering. Some have even walk right in to share a shower with their owner. Researches have theorized that this love of water in our domestic cats is a genetic throwback to their ancestors. Wild species living in the hot plains of Africa or rainforest are more likely to go for a swim than cats living in a cold climate. Wet fur would eliminate the ability of a cat’s fur to insulate the feline from the cold, making them feel even colder. Since the paw is such a sensitive part of a cat’s body, scientists believe pawing or playing with water is a way of gauging the temperature of water, the depth, and where the top of the water is. It may just be fun! One difficulty of owning a water loving cat is their splashing in their water bowl can make a huge wet mess. Also, it may leave the cat without water should it be alone for hours. Cat food can get wet and bacteria can grow. If your cat soaks it's food with water play, it is recommended to keep the food separate from the water. Water fountain adapters are available to keep fresh water available for these water lovig cats. A motion detector turns on and lets the water run for the cat to drink. I imagine for play time too. There is a centuries old cat breed named Turkish Van, that loves water. They originate from the Lake Van area of Turkey. Some of them will even swim to meet humans in fishing boats.

I wonder how many of your cats enjoy water and hope you share stories of your cat's water antics.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I don't know if any of you remember the show, Clean House, on TLC. It was the original decluttering and organizing shows. It was very eye opening to me and I never thought I could be a candidate for the show. Now I am not quite to the point of Hoarders but I was on my way if I didn't stop.

A little background - I used to share a 2500 square foot house and space was never a problem. I joined Etsy to sew up some of my fabric but realized that to really make a business, I would need more and newer fabrics. Thus began a lot of forays into ebay, etsy, fabric stores online, brick and mortar -- you get the idea. Well the day came to move out of the big house and I downsized to renting a room and everything had to go into storage. That was a chore.

The final move came to a cozy little one bedroom a bit out in the country and room for my dogs to roam. Oh yeah, cozy means small, 560 square feet small! I moved in waves and kept finding that I had too much stuff. I thought about another storage unit but seemed to defeat the purpose.

I have been destashing and destashing; selling at a community garage sale, etc. It almost seems overwhelming! Every time I destash, I have seller's remorse. The first time it lasted for days; now I keep going through things to see what I can destash. While doing some of this destashing, I bought more Christmas fabric - hangs my head in shame!

I remember Peter from Clean House talking that if you have something you cherish or if it evokes a special meaning, it does not belong in a box someplace. It belongs framed or showcased. You don't have to hold onto everything as the memories will always be there. This has stood out in my mind for many years and now I am trying to emulate it.

Yes I still have more to go but I will get there. A cleaner, neater and organized home is my goal. Destash and be free!AnnieKDesigns.etsy.com

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Anytime between now and 8:00 am EST next Sunday, October 23, 2011 leave a comment below stating what kind of pet you have, and the name and item number of your favorite piece from Happy Hounds shop by visiting: http://www.etsy.com/shop/earlybird454 AND while you're there, favorite the item.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

From the book It’s a Dog’s Life … but It’s Your Carpet, Dr. Justine Lee, PetMD admits, I make some pretty huge generalizations about breeds and pet owners. Granted, they’re my own opinions, but if you really wanted to know what your veterinarian thinks of you when you walk in the door with your breed of dog, read on!

Labrador RetrieverDedicated, outdoorsy, loyal, and generally a good person to be around. Shops at REI. Drives a Subaru.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I think I have the quirkiest of dogs. Cody is very funny and finicky. Here's just a few:

Licks and bathes himself like a catIf you ask him if he wants puppy chow, he may or not lick his chopsIf you ask him if he wants eggs, he will not lick his chopsIf you ask him if he wants eggs and cheese, he will lick his chopsDoes not play catch or play fetchLoves to run and chase and be chasedPrefers to run in circlesLikes blondsIf he sleeps on the bed and I move around too much, he lets out a big sigh and jumps off the bedEats only when hungry

Copper on the otherhand could be considered, a stereotypical blond if her were a blond

Likes to play dumbLooks at you with those dark brown fathomless eyes, yes mom??? while secreting plottingWhile being scolded, wags his tail so fast that his whole body quivers.Chews on Cody's legsWill go anywhere with anyoneVery much a hunting dogLoves water and mud too much.Will do anything for food and overeats if allowed

However despite their quirks, I love them both dearly and would be lost without them.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Some people believe that small dogs have less health problems as they age than large dogs do. This is actually a myth - small dogs are just as likely to get sick as large dogs. There are some health issues, for instance, that are more common in smaller dogs. And some diseases can actually be found almost exclusively in small dog breeds.So what are the health risks for your small dog?What if you notice that your dog is having trouble breathing, coughing, and making a coughing sound that resembles the honk of a goose? These may be signs of a collapsed trachea. This health problem is found almost exclusively in small dog breeds, and can cause severe problems. It interferes with the dog's daily life, and should be treated right away to avoid complications.Another common small dog health problem is known as luxating patella. This happens when a dog's kneecap slips out of place. When a dog is suffering from this condition, he cannot straighten his leg. He has to stand with his leg bent and he walks oddly (skipping). Once again, this issue is very common in small dog breeds like the Pomeranian, the Pug, and other toy dog breeds.As you can see, the small dog has his own set of health problems. Still, there are some other health issues that you should be aware of, even though they're not as common in small dogs as in large dogs. For instance, arthritis is more likely to affect large or obese dogs - but many smaller dogs suffer from it as well. In fact, arthritis can cause big problems for small dogs because the more aggressive procedures to treat arthritis , like surgery, can be very stressful for their little bodies.This is why it's a good idea to watch out for symptoms of arthritis in your dog, regardless of his size. Some signs to watch out for are:

Difficulty walking, jumping, or even just standingLimping or favoring a limbBehavior changes and sudden bad behaviorBeing less active and playful in general

If you are concerned about your dog, it's better to take him to a vet than to wait it out. Arthritis can be treated but as it advances, the treatments become more invasive and stressful. It's a great idea to have a list of questions ready for your vet visit, so that you know you are covering everything you're concerned about.